I arrived on 20th May and the humidity hit me in the face! There was just one day’s rest before work began at Negombo, which is just below Colombo on the west coast. The first 4 days were not too taxing as the hall was air conditioned. Each day has a similar format as I judge different age groups (from 3 to 19), in various categories: acting,verse speaking, prose reading, sight reading, story telling, TV and radio news reading, mime and public speaking. Each performer gets a written report and a mark, with awards being given at the end of each session.

From Negombo the team moved to Chilaw further up the coast. This is not a tourist area and the hotel is basic. So no TV just BBC world service on the radio. I cannot eat hot spices so meals can be a problem here. Yesterday, the waiter placed my order of plain grilled prawns on the table with a smiling “no spicings”. I smiled back and pretended not to notice the slices of green chili and the flecks of red in the fried onions! The work here is also harder because the hall is cooled by ceiling fans only. Inthe heat of the day it can be difficult to keep your concentration but you do because the children are delightful and so keen to do well. Two more days here then half a day off before we move up to the high country. The lovely tea growing region of Kandy and Nuwara Eliya has temperatures similar to our high summer and no humidity.

After 10 years I will be making a much anticipated return visit to the elephant orphanage at Pinnawala ( see here) – can’t wait! News of the rest of my trip will follow next month.

Whilst I’m away Stewart is manning the fort! He tells me that bookings for my Autumn courses are going well and the full day ‘Dynamic speaking’ presentation skills course is nearly full. If interested see here